Kai Sotto proud of Gilas Pilipinas young core: Winning without a naturalized player

Kai Sotto, the 22-year-old, 7-foot-3 center, just experienced one of the most memorable moments of his international career. He led Gilas Pilipinas to two crucial victories in the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers, defeating Jordan 82-81 in overtime and overcoming Iran 67-56. The special part: the Philippines played without naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who was usually the team's cornerstone in previous campaigns. "I am very proud of what we have accomplished," Sotto shared after the game. "We have a very talented young core, and these wins show that the future of Philippine basketball is very bright." In reality, these two wins were far from easy. Against Jordan, Gilas trailed by 18 points before mounting a dramatic comeback. Against Iran, they had to erase a 13-point deficit early in the game. Sotto averaged 15.5 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, becoming a solid anchor for the entire team. But more importantly, it was the team spirit and tactical adjustments from the coaching staff led by head coach Tim Cone. "We had big adjustments from our coaches, and we applied them in the second half," Sotto emphasized. "That shows the maturity of the entire team." The strategy of not using a naturalized player was a bold decision. In a context where many Asian teams rely on naturalized players to boost strength, the Philippines chose to develop homegrown talent. The young core consisting of Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, and Juan Gomez de Liano – all averaging around 23 years old – proved they can compete fairly. However, an objective view is needed: these two wins only came against mid-tier opponents like Jordan and Iran. Teams like Australia and New Zealand remain the real tests. Moreover, the sample size of just two games is too small to confirm a long-term trend. Sotto was absent for two years due to injury and development, and maintaining his performance over multiple windows is uncertain. "We don't want to be too complacent," Sotto added. "Every game is a lesson. We need to keep working hard to achieve bigger goals." Tactically, Gilas showed flexibility. In the first half, they often started slow, but in the second half, the defense tightened, pressing and transition situations became faster. Sotto played a central role in both offense and defense, especially his outstanding rebounding (15 rebounds per game) giving the team many second-chance opportunities. Another notable point is that Brownlee's absence forced Gilas to run a more motion-based offense, reducing isolation plays. This could be a long-term advantage as the young players get used to a team-oriented style. Looking ahead, the next window in February 2026 will be the real test. If Gilas continues to get good results against stronger opponents, the 'young core' thesis will be strengthened. Conversely, a loss could turn public opinion. "I believe in the process," Sotto affirmed. "We have a great team and I will give my all for the flag and the jersey." Based on what has been shown, Gilas Pilipinas is on the right track. But basketball is a sport of numbers and consistency. One or two wins don't tell the whole story, but they are a positive signal for a new generation.